30 January 2005

Were you as inspired as I was by the images of Iraqis ignoring threats and voting in large numbers? Must be a sad day at the Kerry and Kennedy compounds.

Washington readers, remember the Seattle radio personality who visited Iraq and wrote an essay claiming Iraqis really didn't want freedom (something he apparently determined by talking to the maids, bellhops and room service help)? How about a free lifetime membership in the Kerry/Kennedy Sore Loser Club?

WASHINGTON --Even with widespread violence in Iraq, voters there showed a passion for democracy by apparently turning out in numbers comparable to a typical election in the United States.

Iraqi officials said turnout among the 14 million eligible Iraqi voters appeared higher than the 57 percent that had been predicted, although it would be some time before any turnout figure was confirmed.

In the United States, turnout hovered in the low 50 percent range for years and only this year squeaked to 60 percent.

Considering that Iraqis voted in dangerous conditions, and Americans don't, the turnout numbers speak volumes, according to some pollsters.

"When public expression means so much to you that you will vote under the threat of death, that is significant," said Frank Luntz, a pollster who often works for Republicans. "That demonstrates how much they want democracy."